Health Issues Common In Women

Health Issues Common In Women

Gum Disease: 5 Risk Factors You Should Know About

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One major aspect of good oral health is gum care. Unhealthy gums can lead to gum disease and loss of teeth and can have a negative effect on your overall health. The following are some risk factors of gum disease:

Hormonal Issues

Gum disease is often caused by shifts in your hormones. This will affect females more often as they reach adolescence or during pregnancy. The hormones have a major effect on the blood flow to the gums and the surrounding tissues. They also control how the body processes any toxins that come from excess plaque and bacteria in the mouth. Since the mouth is a fairly sensitive part of the body, a slight change in hormones can have a major impact on gum health.

Tobacco Use

Those who smoke or use tobacco are at a greater risk for gum disease. Smoking can cause additional plaque buildup on the gum line, increasing the likelihood of inflammation of the tissue. Chewing tobacco products are especially bad for the gums. Chewing tobacco sits directly on the gums for a prolonged amount of time, leading to possible gum cancer and other maladies.

Alcohol

Excessive drinking can cause your gums to become sensitive to disease. Too much alcohol causes irritation to the gum and tissue. It also has high amounts of sugar, which causes increased bacterial growth. Major alcoholics will also put their overall health at a lower priority, leading to avoidance of general healthcare, including dental care. This will obviously result in unhealthy teeth and gums.

Diabetes

If you suffer from diabetes, you are at a higher risk for developing gum disease. This is due to the high amounts of glucose in the saliva. Sugars like glucose will cause excess growth of plaque on the teeth. You must take additional efforts to make sure you are caring for your overall health, including additional visits to the dentist to ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy.

Certain Medications

Some medications will also lend to gum disease. This is largely due to dry mouth that is caused by medicine. Those who do not have proper saliva levels will be more at risk for bacterial growth in the mouth. Saliva acts as a mouth rinse that washes away as much bacteria as possible in order to remove food, sugar, and other things that can cause damage to the gums.

Healthy gums are very important to your oral health. Unlike teeth, the gums cannot be repaired if they become damaged. Always see your dentist regularly to ensure your gums remain healthy. For more information, contact a dentist at a location such as Peninsula Community Health Services- Medical (Cottonwood).


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About Me

Health Issues Common In Women

My name is Shawna Banks and this is a blog that focuses on health issues that affect women. I became interested in women's health when my sister began having medical problems. After her condition worsened, she went to see a doctor. After her diagnosis and successful treatment, I helped her research the different kinds of health conditions that are common in women. By becoming knowledgeable about these types of problems, we can keep ourselves healthier. I hope that when you read this blog, it will help you to identify symptoms that shouldn't be ignored. If necessary, you can schedule an appointment with your physician as soon as possible.

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